Chapter 20: Blood Vessels

These flashcards cover important concepts from Chapter 20 on blood vessels, focusing on the roles of arteries, capillaries, veins, and their functions in blood circulation.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, characterized by strong and elastic walls.

Capillaries

Microscopic blood vessels with thin walls where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and waste occurs.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart, equipped with valves to prevent backflow.

Pre-capillary sphincter

A band of smooth muscle that regulates blood flow into the capillary beds based on the tissue's oxygen needs.

Filtration

The process by which fluids and small solutes pass through the capillary walls into the interstitial space.

Reabsorption

The process by which fluids are transferred back into capillaries primarily through osmosis.

Lymphatic system

The network that works with the circulatory system to return excess fluid from tissues back to the bloodstream.